Voice of the people (letter).

Signals Crossed

VILLA PARK — John S. Kallend's letter (Voice, Dec. 6) regarding traffic-signal coordination (or the lack thereof) and its negative impact on air quality was on target. The Illinois Department of Transportation is spending millions on so-called Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) while piecemeal efforts to achieve some degree of signal coordination on state routes become entangled in local politics.

As for Chicago's efforts to coordinate traffic signals, the chances are between slim and none. One of the principal reasons is the unbridled growth of stop signs on almost all arterial streets. Most of these signs are illegal (per the Illinois attorney general's opinion of 1975) and waste literally millions of dollars per year. They, together with poorly timed and coordinated traffic signals, are major contributors to regional air pollution.

Don't be too disparaging of traffic engineers, Mr. Kallend. They could do a far better job if their politician bosses would not intefere.